Stroke of genius

Chad's dad Bert le Clos is no less overwhelmed. "Whatever happens in my life from now on, is plain sailing, I have died and gone to heaven!" Le Clos, the first ever South African to compete in six different events at one Olympic Games, competes in the 400M and 200M individual medley; 200M and 100M butterfly and 200M freestyle. If all goes well, he could be swimming a grueling 15 races over seven days - heats and semifinals included.

For the 19-year-old South African champion swimmer Le Clos, it's about being in the 'zone'. Several major wins including five medals at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, gold in the 200 m butterfly and 400 His, name is popping up in sport's headlines around the world, inevitably compared to Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. But being up there is not just about natural talent. It began early on in his life in Durban with the discipline of hard work - 'lots of hours, lots of graft' he says. 'I learnt from a young age to make sacrifices.' Le Clos gives full dues to his coach, Graham Hill who has nurtured the young swimmer into an Olympic champion.

You'd think at this level of the sport, Chad would focus only on the golds but he is an ambassador for CANSA and particularly, breast cancer awareness (his mother is a survivor). His charitable work aside, it's his super-performance and leadership qualities that has attracted some of the world's top brand sponsorships with Omega watches selecting him as a global ambassador. Chad has also enjoyed the sponsorship of Virgin Active South Africa, which identified his talent early. Chantal Rall of Virgin Active says, " Chad is our homegrown hero! From the minute Virgin Active met him we knew he was a champion! She says he has the heart of a lion while being so humble - her criteria for a champion! "We are proud to have Chad as ourSWIM brand ambassador."

Chad is involved in the programme called SWIM at Virgin Active, together with Ryk Neethling, four time Olympian. The programme is designed for young and old, "Swimming is a great way to work-out as it is non-impact. This makes it ideal for everyone, including pregnant women, older people, even athletes wanting to cross-train. Yet few know how to swim properly for their unique needs so Ryk Neethling and Chad le Clos were taken on board by Virgin Active to start SWIM." It is obvious Le Clos is passionate about swimming - at any level. He says it adds a whole new dimension to an exercise routine - you don't have to be competitive"

Hard to believe from someone who can 'feel' immediately if he's shaved time off his Personal Best (PB). "My best advice to those swimmers starting out is to take it easy: Focus on technique and build a good base to work from. Keep it up and the rest will follow - just like Ryk and me. Even Olympic champions had to start somewhere!" says Chad.

His charitable work, contribution to the swimming fraternity and his utter humility aside, it's his super-performance and leadership qualities that have attracted sponsors and the media South Africa is delighted to have a new hero, home grown and proud of it.